4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
I Review Clothes for a Living, and These Are the Only 12 Amazon Basics You Need for Summer Trips—From $10
Looking stylish on all your summer trips—without overpacking—starts with well-chosen essentials. A strong summer capsule wardrobe doesn't require dozens of options, but a handful of versatile pieces like basic tank tops and flowy maxi skirts. Think lightweight layers and go-anywhere staples that make getting dressed on vacation (and at home) feel effortless. With the right basics, your suitcase stays light, and your outfits stay on point.
I pulled together 12 Amazon basics that are easy to mix, match, and layer no matter where you're headed. The Anrabess Maxi Dress, for example, works just as well with the Rihero Leather Sandals and a sun hat for the beach as it does with New Balance sneakers and the Araz&Cloz Cropped Cardigan for a walking tour—or dressed up with heels for dinner. From wide-leg pants to comfy lounge sets, these are the only summer wardrobe staples you'll need. Prices start at just $10. Best tank top: Anrabess Tank Top, $10 (originally $15)
Anrabess Tank Top, $10 (originally $15) Best vacation dress: Anrabess Maxi Dress, $36 (originally $43)
Anrabess Maxi Dress, $36 (originally $43) Best travel pants: Chartou Drawstring Wide-leg Palazzo Pants, $31
Chartou Drawstring Wide-leg Palazzo Pants, $31 Comfiest sandals: Rihero Leather Sandals, $29 (originally $34)
Rihero Leather Sandals, $29 (originally $34) Perfect walking shoes: New Balance 515 V3 Sneakers, $75
New Balance 515 V3 Sneakers, $75 Amazon's choice: Nenona Sweater Lounge Set, $40
Nenona Sweater Lounge Set, $40 Best summer blouse: Automet Linen Sleeveless Button-down Top, $23
Automet Linen Sleeveless Button-down Top, $23 Comfiest shorts: Nimin Tailored High-rise Shorts, $25
Nimin Tailored High-rise Shorts, $25 Best travel bag: Sumrains Woven Crossbody Bag, $40
Sumrains Woven Crossbody Bag, $40 Best lightweight layer: Arach&Cloz Cropped Cardigan, $30
Arach&Cloz Cropped Cardigan, $30 Best travel skirt: Skritmory Satin Maxi Skirt, $34
A white tank is the holy grail of travel basics. It's what you reach for when you need something that works with everything, and this one from Amazon is flattering, soft, and ultra-versatile. Throw it on with linen pants and sandals for a relaxed sightseeing look; pair it with mom jeans and a cardigan for a museum morning; or layer it under a zip-up hoodie for your travel day outfit. At just $10, you'll wish you bought more than one of the 24 colors offered.
If you're packing light, you'll want a black maxi dress that can go from casual café mornings to candlelit dinners. This one checks all the boxes: flattering square neckline, breezy skirt, and—yes—pockets. Wear it with sneakers and a denim jacket for exploring a new city; swap in espadrilles and chunky earrings for date night; or toss it on over your bikini and pair with a straw tote for a beach-to-brunch moment.
A good pair of linen-blend pants is the travel gift that keeps on giving. This breezy pair is made with 40 percent linen and features a flattering drawstring waist for a custom fit. Pull them on over your swimsuit with a wide-brimmed hat and flip-flops for beach days, or style them with a cropped tank and platform sandals for rooftop drinks. Their wide-leg cut gives off that effortlessly cool, I-am-in-Italy energy.
Packing just one pair of sandals? These are the ones. They're stylish enough to wear with a maxi dress to dinner, minimal enough to throw on with a cover-up for the pool, and comfy enough to stroll around all day. They also take up almost no room in a suitcase and somehow go with any outfit.
This cropped cardigan is a layering hero. Ideal for unexpectedly chilly planes or over-air-conditioned restaurants, it also holds its own as an outfit finisher. Button it up and wear it as a top with wide-leg pants and toss it over a strappy maxi dress on breezy evenings. Or, pair it with matching neutrals to build a monochrome outfit.
When it comes to summer travel, you need sneakers that won't ruin your outfit—or feet. Enter the New Balance 515 V3 Sneakers. These are lightweight, supportive, and have a neutral enough look to work with everything from leggings and an oversized sweatshirt at the airport to a dress and denim jacket while wandering through cobblestone streets. One traveler swore by them on a trip to Europe, saying 'we walked miles every day and I never got a blister.'
Meet your new airport-to-coffee-run uniform: a soft sweater set with a sleeveless top and high-rise shorts that strikes the balance between cozy and pulled-together. Wear it with chunky sneakers and a belt bag for the plane, then swap in strappy sandals for brunch. Break up the set entirely by pairing the top with linen trousers or the shorts with a button-down for lounging by the pool. (I've got my eye on the yellow set.)
This understated vest is the epitome of quiet luxury and one of the most versatile pieces you can pack. Between the breathable linen-blend fabric and elevated silhouette, it's just as at home with trousers and heels for a business-casual dinner as it is with denim shorts and slides for a day of exploring. Or, go full Euro summer by pairing it with a silky maxi skirt and gold accessories.
If you want to feel effortlessly elegant, even while living out of a suitcase, this satin maxi skirt is sure to be your go-to. Style it in a low-key way with a white tee and sneakers, or with a cropped tank and strappy sandals for rooftop cocktails. Go bold with a matching satin top and gold hoops. It's one of those pieces that feels elevated with zero fuss—and works just as well in spring and fall.
Tailored shorts are the summer version of power dressing. These are structured but soft; flattering, but unfussy. Tuck in a black tee, and add a belt with some slides for an effortlessly elevated outfit. Or, wear them with a button-down and sneakers for a more polished travel day 'fit. A reviewer even compared the fabric to Vuori's villa shorts, which are nearly double the price.
You only need one great bag for travel, and this one delivers. The handwoven texture gives it a beachy, vacation-ready feel, while the compact size and multiple compartments will keep things organized. Wear it as a crossbody while airport-hopping; bring it along on a walking tour; or dress it up with a maxi dress and espadrilles for a nice dinner. It's neutral, functional, and stylish—the travel trifecta.
Socks rarely get the spotlight they deserve, but these make a low-key accessory, leveling up any travel look. They add a sporty twist to chunky sneakers and biker shorts; give off a polished vibe with loafers and tailored shorts; and even pair surprisingly well with ballet flats. Fresh-looking white socks always make an outfit look more intentional.
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